Warwick and Wendy Wonga from Blackheath have been using a rustic wooden ‘courting seat’ in my garden for quite a few years. These Australian native pigeons are monogamous, and mate for life. Unfortunately, their seat has begun to show signs of wear and tear. Well, they do get a little lively on it at times! The number of sweet chicks conceived on that plank must be close to a dozen….often twins.

Wonga chicks
Twins Dee (left) and little Bert.
TRUE AND ABIDING LOVE
CRUMBLING AWAY

My associate Editor Des, who moonlights as a building surveyor, was called in to see whether it was worth restoring.

OH DEAR! A WRITE-OFF I THINK

Unfortunately there was just not enough solid wood remaining and his report caused grave concern to the Wongas. Time for a domestic conference. Hard to leave a place with so many memories, but sometimes there is no alternative.

A discussion over a new courting seat.
I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO FIND A NEW PLACE, WENDY

There are at least ten benches and seats in the garden. The daphne seat would be my choice, but I guess it’s a bit exposed to public view, and not suitable for intimacy. Anyway, Editor Des has commandeered it for a sunny study spot.

Des learning French. This seat is too exposed for Wonga courting.
A PLACE TO DREAM OF FOREIGN PLACES.

After a tour of all the possibilities, one stood out, located in a quiet spot under a huge grevillea. It’s just a slab of concrete on Besser blocks, so solid as a rock. I made it myself, though I may have had a little help heaving the slab into place.

Is this to be the new courting seat?
THIS MIGHT DO

Editor Des checked the dimensions with his trusty English tape measure. Would there be enough room for,well …..friskiness? And is it low enough for a weary Wonga to hop down from post courting?

Surveyor Editor Des  measuring the new courting seat.
Measuring the courting seat.
NOT TOO BIG A DROP

According to Des everything appeared to pass muster.

Even the most recent chick, June, gave it a tick of approval as her parents’ courting spot. There may be some future siblings starting life on this very spot.

I THINK MY OLDIES WILL BE HAPPY HERE.

I wonder if a little ‘house warming’ gift would be in order? We don’t believe in artificial feeding here, but perhaps a bowl of fresh water might be appreciated, and help them settle in. Before I could act, Des had picked some late autumn camellias for them. He can be such a sweet fellow.

POSTSCRIPT – THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHEN WONGA LOVE HAS GONE HORRIBLY WRONG. CLICK HERE

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